IMCORE Project Update Dr Rhoda Ballinger SEP JAC Meeting Tuesday 11 th May 2010

Overview of the IMCORE project Science stream update Planning workstream update

IMCORE “Innovative Management of Europe’s Changing Coastal Resource” Aims: To promote a transnational, innovative & sustainable approach to reducing the impacts of climate change on coastal resources To develop adaptation strategies for coastal sites across North West Europe To demonstrate the effectiveness of various approaches to climate change adaptation

Severn Estuary ECN Main aim: To enhance the capacity for Climate change adaptation in the Severn Estuary area Subsidiary aims:  To inform the development of climate change adaptation on the Severn Estuary  To encourage joint working and improved interaction between scientists and policy makers IMCORE Study Sites 9 Expert Couplet Nodes (ECNs)

Severn ECN Workstreams

SECCRAG meeting held 26th February 2010 Severn Estuary Climate Change Citations Database – – Initial review and restructure complete – Content and gap analysis underway Science Report Cards – regional climate change trends and predictions, June 2010 – Sea level change & storm surges – Overview of climate variables Science Workstream Update Workstream Researcher: Ciara Hovey,

Planning Workstream Update Phase I Severn Estuary Planning Stocktake – 32 Severn Estuary plans reviewed & report written Phase II Interviews – 12 Severn Estuary planners interviewed to identify critical issues in adapting to climate change at the coast – Report being prepared, presenting findings from Phases I & II Conference – ‘Planning for the Severn Estuary’, June 21 st 2010, Bristol Workstream Researcher: Dr Wendy Dodds,

Phase I Stocktake: Emerging Policy Trends Going Up Strong emergence of explicit climate change policies within emerging plans focus remains on mitigation High numbers of flood risk policies in both adopted and emerging plans Going Down ‘Dropping off’ of coastal zone –related policies within emerging plans Few references to Shoreline Management Plans in existing plans -none in emerging plans Few references to Severn Estuary Strategy in existing plans & none in emerging plans

Phase II – Interviews with Severn Estuary Planners Critical Issues  Flood Risk*  Renewable Energy Generation  Nature Conservation  Building Design  Transport * As identified by all interviewees

IMCORE Severn Estuary ECN Future Activities Planning stream – RTPI Conference (21 June, Bristol) – Delphi survey – building on planning findings (Summer 10) – Planners’ Workshop – Sept 20? Science stream – Science report cards on key climate change topics Piloting of visualisation of climate change impacts Education work - Beacons